FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JANUARY 2017

Scholars selected by NADFAS and RBA for prestigious London shows

The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) is delighted to announce that, through collaboration with the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA), twenty-two aspiring young artists, the RBA Scholars, have been selected to exhibit their work at two prestigious London venues.

Representatives from NADFAS Societies from across the UK and Europe put forward 284 works including paintings, ceramics and sculpture, by promising A-Level students to be judged by the RBA Council members. The finalists were selected for exhibition for their exceptional works which combine the highest levels of skill, expression and draughtsmanship.

The artworks will first be shown at the Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL), St James, London from 10 February - 12 March 2017 as part of the ‘RBA Rising Stars’ exhibition. The NADFAS RBA Scholars will exhibit alongside a selection of work from the National Students Exhibition which takes place at the Mall Galleries each July, and the RBA’s Rome Scholarship semi-finalists. The exhibition gives an overview of the strength of artistic ability, flair and creativity that exists through Britain today. The exhibition will be opened at a preview event for the students, their families and invited guests.

The works next go on display at the Mall Galleries, London from 22 March - 1 April 2017 where they will sit alongside those of professional artists at the RBA's Annual Exhibition, which features the best contemporary representational painting, sculpture, printmaking and drawing, sourced from member artists and through open submission. During the exhibition at the Mall Galleries, one student will be presented with the John Ingram Award.

The collaboration between NADFAS and the RBA came about following a pilot project in East Anglia in 2009. This is the first year that students’ work will be exhibited at the Royal Over-Seas League as well as the Mall Galleries. Founded in 1910, the ROSL is a non-profit private members' club dedicated to championing international friendship and understanding. ROSL ARTS supports talented young artists and musicians from the UK and Commonwealth, providing performance and exhibition opportunities which bring their work to the attention of the professional arts community, media and general public. PRESS RELEASE “ROSL Arts has supported outstanding young artists for 65 years and we are delighted to partner with NADFAS and the RBA to host this exhibition. The works selected are of exceptional quality, which is even more outstanding considering the young age of the artists presented. We are pleased to be involved in providing this first exhibition opportunity for many of these artists and look forward to welcoming visitors to the club as we look to the future of the visual arts through this fantastic selection of artworks.” Geoff Parkin, Director of Arts at ROSL.

Chief Executive of NADFAS, Florian Schweizer, comments:

“We are so impressed with the ability of these young artists, and delighted that they have this opportunity to showcase their talent to a wider audience. NADFAS seeks to make the arts accessible to all – the students’ inclusion in these exhibitions confirms our belief that art can be enjoyed, and

created, by people of all ages. We are delighted to be a part of their journey.”

The 2017 RBA Scholars are:

Natalie Holdys – Presdales School – Nominated by East Herts DFAS Zoe Dawes – Hills Road 6th Form College – Nominated by Granta DFAS Indigo Price – Ipswich School – Nominated by Ipswich DFAS Megan Elliott – Wymondham High Academy – Nominated by Norwich DFAS Jane McNulty – Bourne Academy – Nominated by Stamford DFAS Douglas Whall – Walden School – Nominated by Saffron Walden DFAS Annabel Ridings – Northallerton School & 6th Form College – Nominated by Hambleton DFAS Emma Beaumont – Ripon Grammar School – Nominated by Hambleton DFAS Oliver Moorhouse – Sheffield High School – Nominated by Sheffield DFAS Lily Fletcher – Silverdale School – Nominated by Sheffield DFAS Eleanor Prime – Wilmslow High School – Nominated by Wilmslow DFAS Ella Morris – AKS Lytham Independent School – Nominated by Fylde DFAS Eleanor Wood – AKS Lytham Independent School – Nominated by Fylde DFAS Robert McCormack – Culloden Academy – Nominated by Highland DFAS Will Copley – The King’s School – Nominated by Sidmouth DFAS Aislinn Dunne – Truro College – Nominated by Truro DFAS Gabriella Cornes – Truro College – Nominated by Truro DFAS Holly Eustice – Truro College – Nominated by Truro DFAS Patrick Thomas – Truro School – Nominated by Truro DFAS Jacqueline Zhang – Farlington School – Nominated by West Sussex DFAS Charlie Pike – Thomas Hardye School – Nominated by Dorset County DFAS Katie Denham – Woking College – Nominated by Mayford DFAS

PRESS RELEASE

Image credits, left to right: Self Portrait by Patrick Thomas of Truro School, Laura by Will Copley of The King's School, Ottery St Mary, Seated Figure by Jacqueline Zhang of Farlington School.

Exhibition information:

Royal Over-Seas League 10 February – 12 March 2017 Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR

10am – 6pm daily

Admission: Free www.rosl.org.uk

Mall Galleries 22 March – 1 April 2017 The Mall, London SW1 10am – 5pm daily (closes at 1pm on final day) Admission: £3, £2.50 concessions (50% off to National Art Pass holders. Free to Friends of Mall Galleries and under 18s) www.mallgalleries.org.uk

Notes to editors:

The National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS) is a leading arts charity which works to advance decorative and fine arts education and appreciation, alongside promoting the conservation of our artistic heritage. NADFAS opens up the world of the arts for everyone to enjoy, learn, participate in, and preserve. www.nadfas.org.uk

For press enquiries please contact: Isabel Cooper [email protected] 0207 430 0730

PRESSPRESS RELEASERELEASE PRESS RELEASE

Registered Office: NADFAS House 8 Guilford Street London WC1N 1DA T 020 7430 0730 F 020 7242 0686 E [email protected] National Association of the Decorative & Fine Arts Societies Registered Charity No. (England and Wales): 1089743; Registered Charity No. (Scotland): SC039240; Registered in England No.: 4307984 www.nadfas.org.uk